You Really Should Consider Interning Or Volunteering

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt Is there something you are passionate about? Is there a company that has been your dream to work in? Most people are like you, but because of economic realities and the scarcity of choice employment, not many end up […]

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt

Is there something you are passionate about? Is there a company that has been your dream to work in? Most people are like you, but because of economic realities and the scarcity of choice employment, not many end up with the career they want. Work, for them, becomes more about survival than the satisfying vocation that it ought to be.

This unfortunate reality should not deter you from your ambitions; it is very possible to achieve the career of your dreams regardless of your financial constraints and the lack of jobs in the society. Rather, it should motivate you to seek paths to career success that are more than just sending CVs and going for interviews. Internships and volunteering are two increasingly fruitful avenues that could lead you to the career that you’re passionate about. However, like every road that leads to success, they both demand backpacks of determination, commitment and patience.

Internships are increasingly becoming a necessary first step to the start of any career; not only do they serve as an eye opener for university undergrads and fresh job-seekers, these days they are among the most effective auditions used by employers to gauge competence and commitment. Volunteering offers similar benefits, but they go further to boost personal and professional reputation for life. Undertaking one or both of them could be the launchpad to your dream career.

Internships

As an intern you get the opportunity to experience the reality of the career that you have been dreaming about. You could also be fortunate enough to even work in your choice company given that unlike full employment, internship placements are relatively easy to secure. In there, you also get the chance to mix and mingle with recruiters, managers and company staff whose practical guidance and tutoring offer you priceless mentorship.

Most companies pay interns an allowance, but what should inspire you to intern is the full time job that could be offered if you perform well. A worthwhile performance as an intern easily puts you at the top of the list of a firm’s job applicants even when you may not have the most amazing academic or professional qualifications. It is more common these days to find graduates returning to the firms where they interned while in school. The same goes for job-seekers who could in the end see their internship converted to full time employment. Even when not retained, the experience you have garnered also gives you an edge over your contemporaries at any other job interview, especially when they have very scanty CVs.

Volunteering

Like internships, the benefits of volunteering are enormous. You learn new skills from volunteer work, you make the kind of friends and acquaintances that will help your personal and professional growth. It is one of the best ways to connect to your community and build up crucial social networking skills. These skills and community experience come in handy in leadership roles in an organization. Because you have been exposed to people with common interests, as well as fun and fulfilling activities, motivating colleagues for a task or coordinating an activity becomes less challenging, thanks to your volunteering experiences.

Most importantly, as a person offering volunteer services, it is much easier to get a placement at the top organizations involved in your areas of interest. Apart from granting you a better opportunity at landing your dream job—because if you perform admirably the organization will want to keep you, you also get to work with and learn from the best in your field of interest, an amazing boost for you and your CV. \

As an individual set out to achieve your passion in life, internship and volunteering experiences are two great companions for your journey to the top. They may not seem to have an immediate effect, so be patient because their worth, like investments, comes through in the long while.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

*If you are interested in internships with GTBank, please go to any branch and make and enquiry.